Coast Guard investigating reports of man overboard on ferry

The Coast Guard is searching waters along the Seattle to Bainbridge Island ferry route after a vehicle was left on the 2:55 p.m. ferry sailing to Seattle.

A 1999 gold Mitsubishi Gallant was left on the Tacoma, a ferry that holds 202 vehicles and 2,500 passengers.

The vehicle is registered to Amy Storey of Sequim, according to Coast Guard officials.

When a vehicle is left on board, crews check the waters to see if a passenger went overboard, Washington State Ferries spokeswoman Susan Harris said. The Coast Guard was leading the search effort, but state vessels were also helping.

A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Port Angeles was launched at 4:42 p.m. to conduct a search. Two Coast Guard boat crew were launched from Seattle.

Seattle and Bainbridge police, Seattle firefighters and the State Patrol were involved in the search Monday night.

“People can expect some delays,” said Harris, who didn’t have a time estimate. “We’re still in service, but were going a little big slower because we’re looking.”